Thumb turn lock mechanism

ABSTRACT

A thumb lock mechanism for mounting on a panel having a bore in which a rotatable bolt driver may be mounted includes a mounting plate having a bearing and fixed over one end of the bore by fasteners entering the bore and usually engaging a similarly mounted, key-operated device overlying the other end of the bore. A driver bar connects the key-operated device, the rotatable bolt driver and the hub of a rotor plate disposed in the mounting plate bearing. A turn piece peripherally engages the rotor plate and is formed with an extending turn and pull grip having a usually closed port overlying the fasteners. A yielding, axial retainer between the hub and the mounting plate urges detent on the mounting plate and rotor plate into engagement. A hold-back is optionally provided.

United States Patent Neary {4 1 Jan. 30, 1973 541 THUMB TURN LOCKMECHANISM 3,337,249 8/l967 Russell ..292/336.3 x

[75] lnventor. galph E. Neary, San Francisco, Primary Examiner Robert L.Wolfe a if.

Attorney-Marcus Lothrop et al. [73] Assignee: Schlage Lock Company 221Filed: July 21,1971 [57] ABSTRACT A thumb lock mechanism for mounting ona panel [2]] Appl' 164,693 having a bore in which a rotatable boltdriver may be mounted includes a mounting plate having a bearing392/3363, and fixed over one end of the bore by fasteners enter- 70/451ing the bore and usually engaging a similarly mounted, Int. Cl. key opea[ed device overlying the other end of [he Field of Search-1925363, 1150, 175, 351, bore. A driver bar connects the key-operated device,292/356, 70/146, 152, 379, the rotatable bolt driver and the hub of arotor plate 1 1 1 57 disposed in the mounting plate bearing. A turnpiece peripherally engages the rotor plate and is formed ReferencesCited with an extending turn and pull grip having a usually closed portoverlying the fasteners. A yielding, axial UNITED STATES PATENTSretainer between the hub and the mounting plate 2,157,853 5/1939 Heyer..70/451X urges detent on the mounting plate and rotor plate 2,190,92/19 0 R a h 2/356 X into engagement. A hold-back is optionallyprovided. 2,694,594 11/1954 Dey 1 ..292/356 2,944,849 7/1960 Falk..292/359 X 12 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJANIiO I813? 3.7 1 3.683 sum 1 BF 5 INVENTOR. RALPH E. NEARY fm I a):

ATTORNEYS PATENTED JAN 30 I973 SHEET 2 BF 5 INVENTOR. RALPH E. NEARY{Law r 42w ATTORN EYS PATENTEUJAHSO I975 3,713,683 sum 3 OF 5 FIGJO F|G.

INVENTOR. RALPH E. NEARY ATTORNEYS THUMB TURN LOCK MECHANISM In manyenvironments, particularly in connection with a door panel hinged abouta vertical axis to swing into and out of engagement with a door frame,it is the practice to install a manually operable locking device. Forthis purpose the door panel is provided with a relatively large throughbore extending from one side of the panel to the other. This bore isintersected by a somewhat smaller bore extending into the panel from thefree edge thereof. In the smaller bore there is mounted a bolt, usuallya dead bolt, which can be retracted into the door panel and projectedfrom it to lie within a strike device mounted in the door frame.Customarily the bolt is a dead bolt urged into its extreme projectedposition or into its extreme retracted position by an over-centerspring. It is also customary to provide on one side of the door, usuallythe exterior side thereof, a key-operated, pin tumbler lock mechanismfor projecting and retracting the dead bolt. On the other side of thedoor panel, usually the interior, another key-operated mechanism may beprovided, but more frequently it is preferred to have a keyless interioroperating mechanism actuated directly by manual rotation. This type ofdevice is often referred to as a thumb even though the users thumb andfingers are utilized in manipulating it. In some installations,something more than the facility to rotate the thumb turn is desiredbecause there is no other projection or grip on that side of the doorpanel. Furthermore, the thumb turn mechanism may be utilized with anormally spring-projected latch bolt as well as a dead bolt. With aspringactuated latch it is helpful to have closely associated with thethumb turn some ready mechanism for holding the latch bolt in itsretracted position against the normal urgency of its spring.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a thumb turn lockmechanism effective to produce the normal functions of a thumb turn andalso to serve as a grip or handle to maneuver the door panel toward openor closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a thumb turn lockmechanism that can be incorporated with the customary lock mechanismordinarily provided in a door panel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a thumb turn lockmechanism in which the mounting mechanism, although readily accessiblefor installation and removal, is ordinarily concealed and protected.

A further object of the invention is to provide a thumb turn lockmechanism having an enhanced ability to transmit operating torque.

A further object of the invention is to provide a thumb turn lockmechanism in which the thumb turn is yieldingly restrained in one ormore of its positions of operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a thumb turn that isreadily grasped for operation, is comfortable to the touch and does nottend to catch clothing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a thumb turn lockmechanism that is generally an improvement over thumb turn mechanismsheretofore available.

Other objects together with the foregoing are attained in theembodiments of the invention described in the accompanying descriptionand illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is an elevation of the obverse side of a door panel and framewith the structure of the present invention mounted therein, portions ofthe figure being broken away to reduce its size;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the reverse side of the door panel and thumbturn mechanism associated therewith;

FIG. 3'is an exploded view showing in cross-section on a vertical, axialplane normal to the door panel of FIG. 1 various components of theinstant mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the structure as it appears in horizontal planwith the parts assembled, certain portions being broken away to disclosethe interior construction generally in cross-section on horizontalplanes;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a pin tumbler lock unit usable with thethumb turn lock mechanism of the invention, a portion being shown inexploded position;

FIG. 6 is an inside end elevation of the structure of FIG. 5 without thepin tumbler lock unit therein;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the retainer shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a view, like FIG. 2, showing a modified form of thumb turnlock mechanism in normal position;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the thumb turn lock mechanismin hold-back position;

FIG. 10 is an inside end elevation of a modified form of rotor plate andturn piece utilized in the structure of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11, in the upper half, is a cross-section, the plane of which isindicated by the line llll of FIG. 10, and, in the lower half, is a sideelevation of the structure of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an elevation of a hold-back ring;

FIG. 13 is a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the line13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an elevation of a mounting plate for use with themodification of FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the linel5l5 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an elevation of an assembled thumb turn with a hold-back asindicated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 17 is a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the line17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a detail showing a portion of the structure of FIG. 17, theplane of section being indicated by the line l8-18 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a plan view, the surrounding door panel being in horizontalcross-section, of a modified form of mounting for a thumb turnmechanism;

FIG. 20 is a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the line20-20 of FIG. 19; and

FIG. 21 is an isometric view of an anchor block, as used in FIGS. 19 and20.

In most-installations of the device the environment includes astationary door frame 6 having an upright surface 7 in which a strikedevice 8 is installed. Cooperating with the frame 6 is a door panel 9mounted to operate about an upright hinge axis parallel to the surface7. Extending entirely through the panel 9 is a cross bore 11.

Intersecting the bore 11 is another bore 12 extending inwardly from thepanel surface 13 parallel to the surface 7 and normal to the bore 11.Lying within the bore 12 and within the bore 11 is a bolt mechanism 16of a customary sort; for example, as shown in Walter R. Schlage U.S.Pat. No. 2,042,021 issued May 26, 1936.

The present dead bolt mechanism is operated by a rotatable bolt driver17 appropriately connected to a bolt 18. The mechanism 16 includes anover-center spring for holding the dead bolt 18 in fully projectedposition or in fully retracted position. This bolt motion is usuallyproduced by approximately a ninety-degree rotation of the bolt driver17.

Alternatively, the bolt mechanism may incorporate a latch bolt (notshown) normally urged into its projected position by an appropriatespring and temporarily retracted against the spring urgency by rotationof the bolt driver 17. In the usual construction the bold driver 17 hasa non-circular portion rotatable about an axis 19 and interrelated in anaxially slidable fashion with a driver bar 20 extending from the rotaryplug 21 ofa pin tumbler cylinder unit 22.

To support the cylinder unit 22 there is provided a housing 23 of formedmetal provided with a front opening 24 concentric with the axis 19.

A rotary plug portion of the cylinder unit 22 occupies the opening 24and presents a keyway 25 for use in the usual fashion. The housing 23 ispreferably covered with a decorative skin or scalp 26 appropriatelycrimped in place. By a number of spaced in-pressed lugs 27 and 28 aclosure plate 29 is located and held in position. If relative rotationof the plate 29 and the housing 23 is not wanted, a lug 31 and notch 32in inter-engagement prelude such motion.

As particularly shown in FIGS. 4, and 6, the closure plate 29 iscentrally dished and has an opening 33 con toured to receive thecircular and radial portions of the cylinder unit 22. The opening 33 inthis case has an enlarged upper end 34 and also has side extensions 36and 37. This special configuration is arranged to cooperate with aparticular clip or retainer 40, FIGS. 5 and 7. This is a U-shaped pieceof springy material having its opposite legs 41 and 42 cut to leave endshoulders 43 and in an intermediate location in their upper peripherycut to'provide opposite, upwardly opening notches 44 and 46. Inaddition, the lower periphery of the clip legs is provided with a pairof staggered, downwardly opening, opposite notches 47.

This retainer is used after the cylinder unit 22 has been set into theposition shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 and occupies most of the opening 33. Theclip is used upright, as illustrated, for relatively short cylinderunits and is used inverted for relatively long cylinder units. Thenormally divergent legs 41 and 42 of the upright clip 40 are manuallypinched toward each other and are introduced into the upper portion ofthe opening 33 straddling the radial portion of the cylinder unit 22. Assoon as the lower notches 47 of the advancing clip (the notches 44 and46 when inverted) come opposite the closure plate 29, the clip 40 ismanually displaced vertically downwardly so that the walls of the pairof notches 47 hook over and interengage with the closure plate 29. Thetransverse pinch of the retainer 40 is manually released and the legs 41and 42 spring outwardly to occupy the extensions 36 and 37. Whetherupright or inverted, the hooked portions of the clip, when in engagementwith the closure plate, firmly hold the cylinder unit 22, whether shortor long, in position against accidental dislodgment.

The key-actuated unit is mounted against the panel 9 over the bore 11,usually on the exterior or obverse side, and is held in position byfastening screws 51 and 52 in threaded engagement with appropriatelytapped holes 53 and 54 in the closure plate 29 and extending through thebore 11 also to retain an interiorly mounted thumb turn mechanism 56.Included in this mechanism is a mounting plate 57 spanning the bore 11on the interior side of the panel 9 and having a pair of openings 58 and59 to receive the screws 51 and 52. When these screws are tightened, theexterior unit and the interior unit are mounted firmly on the doorpanel. The screws 51 and 52 also pass through openings in the boltmechanism 16, so that all of the assemblies are held in appropriateoperating position.

The mounting plate 57 is a generally planar structure at its centerhaving an inturned bearing flange 61 concentric with the axis 19.Cooperating with the mounting plate 57 is a rotor plate 62 having anelongated central hub 63 rotatable within the bearing 61 and projectingthrough and well beyond the bearing opening. The rotor plate 62 isyieldingly retained for a predetermined axial displacement by a lockclip 64 also retaining a marcel spring 66 interposed between the clipand the mounting plate 57. The inner end of the hub 63 is a web piercedto provide a non-circular, cross opening 67 slidably receiving thedriver bar 20 upon assembly, as particularly shown in FIG. 4.

Rotation of the key plug of the cylinder unit 22 not only actuates thebolt driver 17 but likewise produces a corresponding rotation of therotor plate 62. Conversely, rotation of the rotor plate 62 rotates thebolt driver 17. Usually there is a lost motion connection between thedriver bar 20' and the cylinder unit 22, so the cylinder unit is notnecessarily rotated when the rotor plate 62 is turned.

Assembled with the rotor plate 62 is a turn piece 68 or shellconveniently formed of relatively thin metal having its periphery 69embracing and tightly urged against a circular peripheral flange 71 ofthe rotor plate 62. The turn piece 68 has surfaces of revolutionincluding relatively flat conoidal portions 72 and also in cludes anoutstanding grip portion 73. This extends diametrically across the pieceand has a'reduced or reentrant neck portion 74. The configuration andproportions are such that the outstanding portion 73 in effect is aflared cross bar. A users thumb and fingertips can readily grasp the bar73 not only for producing rotation about the axis 19 but also as a gripfor pulling the door panel 9 open or as a convenient point for handengagement in pushing the door panel closed. The contours are all smoothto afford a rounded envelope so that the user's clothing is not likelyto be caught by the piece 68. Should the turn piece 68 tend to slip onthe rotor plate 62, lugs 75 struck out from the plate 62 in forming theaccess holes for the screws 51 and 52 extend into the interior of thecross bar 73 and prevent all but minor relative turning.

The outstanding grip portion 73 has an indented panel 76 extendingsubstantially across it and has a port formed by one or moreperforations 77 in the turn piece to expose the ends of the fasteners 51and 52. During installation the port 77 is left open so that thefasteners can be introduced therethrough can can be turned home.Following installation the port is blocked or closed by the positioningof an ornamental closure plate 78. This is designed to fill thedepressed panel 76.

The plate has springy tangs 79 snapped through the port 77 to engage thepiece 68 to hold the closure 78 in position. One portion of the plate 78is contoured or notched. With a tool engaging the notch, the centralportion of the closure 78 can be bowed outwardly, thus moving the tangs79 toward each other and permitting ready withdrawal of the closureplate 78. This affords access to the fasteners 51 and 52 when themechanism is to be detached or dismantled.

While the mechanism as so far described is in itself completely usefulto serve as a thumb turn mechanism for actuating the driver bar andactuating the bolt 18, it is often preferred to provide a specialdetent.

For that reason the mounting plate 57 is provided with one or moreoffsets 81 designed to interfit, in certain rotary locations, withcorresponding depressions 82 at proper intervals in an annular rib 83formed in the rotor plate 62. The marcel spring 66 urges the projections81 toward the depressions 82. When the projections and depressions areengaged, the thumb turn is movable only after overcoming an initialresistance. The turning movement is accompanied by a slight axialdisplacement, distorting the spring 66, so that when the thumb turn hasarrived at another position in which the projections 81 and depressions82 can interengage, the spring 66 displaces the thumb turn axiallyinwardly and permits a resumed interengagement of the mounting plate andof the rotor plate. The slight axial movement of the rotor is readilyaccomplished since the driver bar 20 has a loose sliding fit in thecross opening 67. When the detent mechanism is provided, the cross bar73 is readily centered in any one of several predetermined positions.The effect is to prevent the parts moving out of their preferred,preselected positions by vibration or other minor forces.

In a modified form of the thumb turn lock mechanism, much of thestructure as previously described is utilized, but the interior thumbturn unit is augmented to afford a hold-back feature. This is especiallyuseful with a spring-projected latch bolt. At the users option, thehold-back keeps the latch bolt retracted against the urgency of thespring. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the environment is aspreviously described, the installation usually being on the interior orreverse side of the door panel 9. In this instance there is anadditional element in the form of a ring 91 movable by the user betweena free position and a hold-back position.

As particularly shown in FIG. 17, there is disposed against the doorpanel 9 on the interior or reverse face thereof a mounting plate 92 heldin position against the door by fastenings 93. The mounting plate 92 isoffset to provide a circular shoulder 94 and also is offset to afford aflange 96 constituting a bearing.

Projecting through the bearing is an elongated hub 97 of a rotor plate98. The hub has a cross opening 99 to engage the driver bar 20. Therotor plate 98 has an annular ridge 101 concentric with the hub 97 andextending into contact with the mounting plate 92. The parts are heldtogether by a securing clip 102 engaging appropriate apertures in theprojecting portion of the hub 97. A marcel spring 103 is interposedbetween the clip 102 and the stationary mounting plate 92, so that theparts are held in rotary interengagement with limited axial movement.

Engaging the rotary plate 98 is a turn piece 106 having its periphery107 overlying and firmly united with a peripheral flange 108 on therotor plate 98. The parts are appropriately held in assembledrelationship. The turn piece 106 is shaped as previously described. Ithas a port 109 for the fasteners 51 and 52 and has an overlying portclosure 111 removably snapped into position.

The rotor plate ridge 101 is provided with a deep radial recess 116within which slides a radial projection 117. This is part of a block 118extending radially inward from an approximately annular web 119 of theoperator ring 91. The web is disposed between the mounting plate and therotor plate to project outwardly of both of them. The shape of the thumbring 91 is semicircular at both ends and between the ends has a shortstraight portion. In opposite, transversely shifted, extreme positions,it is nearly flush with the adjacent circular boundary of the mountingplate and of the rotor plate. The opposite end of the ring extendsradially outward from the opposite side of those plates. The thumb ringslides transversely with only light friction and can easily be moved ina diametrical direction between one extreme position and the other.

In one extreme position shown by solid lines in FIG. 18, the block 1 18is in only sliding engagement with the adjacent mounting plate 92. Theprojection 117 is and remains in engagement with the walls of the recess116 in the ridge 101 of the rotor plate 98. When the thumb ring 91 hasbeen moved to and is in its opposite extreme position, as shown bydotted lines 121 in FIG. 18, the projection 117 is still in engagementwith its groove 116 in the rotor plate, and the block 118 has movedradially and projects into and interengages with the side walls 122 and123 of either one of two rectangular apertures 124 piercing the mountingplate 92 and traversing the circular shoulder 94 thereof. In thisposition, the block 1 18 effectively locks the mounting plate and therotor plate together.

The apertures 124 are used individually in right-hand and left-handinstallations and are so positioned that locking takes place only afterthe thumb turn grip has been rotated to retract the spring-pressed latchbolt. When the ring 91 is radially displaced to locking position, theplates 92 and 98 are kept from relative rotation and the latch bolt isheld back. The tendency of the spring to urge the latch bolt outwardlyputs sufficient strain on the interrelated parts so that there is someside friction between the projection 117 and the walls of the groove 116and between the block 118 and the aperture side walls 122 and 123. Thisavoids accidental dislodgment by vibration and the like.

When grasping the grip to rotate the bolt retracting mechanism, the usercan easily, with the same hand, displace the ring 91 to cause the block118 to enter its adjacent groove and hold the parts in position. Whenthe latch bolt is to be released, it is simple to displace the ring 91by a finger touch in the opposite direction, thus removing the block 118from interengagement with the walls 122 and 123 of the opening 124 andpermitting the latch bolt spring to return the latch bolt to projectedposition.

There are installations in which only one operating mechanism is needed.As shown in FIGS. 19, 20 and 21, this may be accomplished by having alarge bore 126 from one side go only partway through the door panel 9,leaving the opposite side undisturbed. In some instances the bore is putthrough the door panel with the unused end blocked off by a plate.Designed to fit into a portion of a smaller edge bore 127 intersectingthe bore 126 is an anchor block 128. This has an arcuate surface 129 toabut the wall of the bore 127 and has a flat surface 131 in the centralportion. On the opposite side from the flat surface a pair of bosses 132project from the flat inner face 133 of the block. These bosses are of adiameter and extent to enter into standard holes in the bolt mechanism134. Extending through the block, including the bosses 132, are tappedopenings 136 into which the fasteners 51 and 52 are screwed.

The arrangement is mounted by inserting the anchor block 128 and thebolt mechanism 134 simultaneously into the bore 127 with the bosses 132interlocked with the bolt mechanism. Thereupon the thumb turn unit ismounted, with the fasteners being screwed into the threaded openings 136and tightened until the door panel is firmly gripped. During this timethe driver bar 20 is properly inserted into the bolt mechanism. Finally,the closure plate 78 is positioned. The parts are thus interlocked andinterengaged and are ready for operation.

What is claimed is:

l. A thumb turn lock mechanism for mounting on a panel having a bore inwhich a rotatable bolt driver may be disposed comprising a mountingplate having a central bearing therein, means for holding said mountingplate against said panel over said bore, a rotor plate, a hub on saidrotor plate extending through said central bearing, means for limitingaxial motion of said hub in said bearing, a turn piece, and means forengaging the periphery of said turn piece with the periphery of saidrotor plate.

2. A device as in claim 1 including grip means outstanding from andextending substantially diametrically of said turn piece.

3. A device as in claim 2 in which said grip means includes a windowoverlying said holding means.

4. A device as in claim 3 including removable means for blocking saidwindow.

5. A device as in claim 1 including means in said hub for non-rotatablyand slidably engaging a driver bar also engaging said bolt driver.

6. A device as in claim 1 in which said mounting plate and said rotorplate include interengageable rotary positioning means.

7. A device as in claim 1 in which said axial motion limiting meansincludes a spring urging said rotary positioning means into engagement.

8. A device as in claim 1 in which said axial motion limiting meansincludes a retainer engaging said hub on the side of said mounting plateopposite said rotor plate.

9. A device as in claim 1 including a ring interposed between saidmounting plate and said rotor plate, and means controlled by said ringfor interengaging said mounting plate and said rotor plate.

10. A device as in claim 9 in which said ring is shiftable transverselyof said bore.

11. A device as in claim 9 including means on said rin slidabl en a insaid rotor late.

F2. A dex ice a in claim 9 iniiluding means on said ring slidablymovable into and out of engagement with said rotor plate.

1. A thumb turn lock mechanism for mounting on a panel having a bore inwhich a rotatable bolt driver may be disposed comprising a mountingplate having a central bearing therein, means for holding said mountingplate against said panel over said bore, a rotor plate, a hub on saidrotor plate extending through said central bearing, means for limitingaxial motion of said hub in said bearing, a turn piece, and means forengaging the periphery of said turn piece with the periphery of saidrotor plate.
 1. A thumb turn lock mechanism for mounting on a panelhaving a bore in which a rotatable bolt driver may be disposedcomprising a mounting plate having a central bearing therein, means forholding said mounting plate against said panel over said bore, a rotorplate, a hub on said rotor plate extending through said central bearing,means for limiting axial motion of said hub in said bearing, a turnpiece, and means for engaging the periphery of said turn piece with theperiphery of said rotor plate.
 2. A device as in claim 1 including gripmeans outstanding from and extending substantially diametrically of saidturn piece.
 3. A device as in claim 2 in which said grip means includesa window overlying said holding means.
 4. A device as in claim 3including removable means for blocking said window.
 5. A device as inclaim 1 including means in said hub for non-rotatably and slidablyengaging a driver bar also engaging said bolt driver.
 6. A device as inclaim 1 in which said mounting plate and saId rotor plate includeinterengageable rotary positioning means.
 7. A device as in claim 1 inwhich said axial motion limiting means includes a spring urging saidrotary positioning means into engagement.
 8. A device as in claim 1 inwhich said axial motion limiting means includes a retainer engaging saidhub on the side of said mounting plate opposite said rotor plate.
 9. Adevice as in claim 1 including a ring interposed between said mountingplate and said rotor plate, and means controlled by said ring forinterengaging said mounting plate and said rotor plate.
 10. A device asin claim 9 in which said ring is shiftable transversely of said bore.11. A device as in claim 9 including means on said ring slidablyengaging said rotor plate.